Deep Purple Call Off Leipzig and Hamburg Shows as Ian Gillan Is Hospitalized

Deep Purple cancelled concerts in Leipzig and Hamburg this weekend after singer Ian Gillan suffered a "medical emergency" that left him hospitalized, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band announced Saturday.

The affected shows were Saturday night at the QI Arena in Leipzig and Sunday evening at the Sporthalle in Hamburg. The announcement came at short notice, and the band confirmed it in a direct statement.

"With great disappointment, Deep Purple must announce that they are unable to perform as scheduled tonight at the QI Arena (Leipzig) and tomorrow evening at the Sporthalle (Hamburg)," the statement read. "This comes as a result of a medical emergency involving Ian Gillan, which has resulted in his current hospitalization."

What do we actually know about Gillan's condition?

Very little, and that is the point worth stressing. The band did not elaborate on the nature of the medical emergency or on Gillan's current condition. No update on his hospitalization had been given as of press time.

There is one mitigating signal. Deep Purple is already working to reschedule both cancelled dates, which suggests the situation is not being treated as critical.

"We understand that this announcement comes at short notice and share the disappointment of all our wonderful fans that we are unable to perform in Leipzig and Hamburg," the band said. "Deep Purple and their team are focused on finding a suitable time to reschedule both these shows."

A promise to reschedule is not a rescheduled date. No replacement dates for Leipzig or Hamburg have been named yet.

What does this change for the tour?

As of press time, nothing beyond the two cancellations. Deep Purple remains scheduled to resume the European tour on November 3 in Dortmund, Germany. The trek closes on November 25 at London's Royal Albert Hall in the band's native England. After that, Deep Purple spends December touring Latin America.

The tour supports the band's 2026 album Splat!, their 24th studio LP.

A second health scare in the Deep Purple orbit

Gillan's hospitalization follows another recent health disclosure connected to the band. Weeks earlier, former Deep Purple singer and bassist Glenn Hughes revealed he was recovering from open heart surgery that lasted 10 hours.

The two men's histories are intertwined. Hughes joined Deep Purple in place of Gillan, who was part of the band's "Mark II" lineup from 1969 to 1973 — the era that produced Deep Purple in Rock and Machine Head. Gillan rejoined in 1984 for five years, left again, and returned in 1992, remaining with the band ever since.

Whether the Dortmund date holds now depends entirely on Gillan's recovery, something the band has not yet addressed beyond this weekend's cancellations.